scholarly journals Dihydroartemisinin-Transferrin Adducts Enhance TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in a P53-Independent and ROS-Dependent Manner

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinyu Zhou ◽  
Abel Soto-Gamez ◽  
Fleur Nijdam ◽  
Rita Setroikromo ◽  
Wim J. Quax

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive breast cancer subtype independent of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. It has a poor prognosis and high recurrence. Due to its limited treatment options in the clinic, novel therapies are urgently needed. Single treatment with the death receptor ligand TRAIL was shown to be poorly effective. Recently, we have shown that artemisinin derivatives enhance TRAIL-induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells. Here, we utilized transferrin (TF) to enhance the effectiveness of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) in inducing cell death in TNBC cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-436, MDA-MB-468 and BT549). We found that the combination of DHA-TF and the death receptor 5-specific TRAIL variant DHER leads to an increase in DR5 expression in all four TNBC cell lines, while higher cytotoxicity was observed in MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-436. All the data point to the finding that DHA-TF stimulates cell death in TNBC cells, while the combination of DHA-TF with TRAIL variants will trigger more cell death in TRAIL-sensitive cells. Overall, DHA-TF in combination with TRAIL variants represents a potential novel combination therapy for triple-negative breast cancer.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e14099-e14099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoise C Synnott ◽  
Matthias R Bauer ◽  
Stephen F. Madden ◽  
Alyson M. Murray ◽  
Rut Klinger ◽  
...  

e14099 Background:The identification of a targeted therapy for patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most urgent needs in breast cancer therapeutics. Since the p53 gene is mutated in approximately 80% of TNBC patients, it is a potential therapeutic target for this form of breast cancer. PK11007 is a 2-sulfonypyrimidine that stabilizes and reactivates mutant p53 (Bauer et al, PNAS 2016). The compound recently was reported to preferentially decrease viability in p53-compromised cancer cells. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate PK11007 as a potential new treatment for TNBC. Methods: Cell viability was determined using the MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected using Annexin V Apoptosis Detection Kit. Migration was determined by Transwell migration assay. Knockdowns of p53 protein were carried out using predesigned Flexitube sequences (Qiagen). Results: IC50 values for inhibition of proliferation by PK11007 in the panel of 17 breast cell lines ranged from 2.3 to 42.2 μM. There were significantly lower IC50values for TNBC than for non-TNBC cell lines (p = 0.03) and for p53-mutated cell lines compared with p53 WT cells (p = 0.003). Response to PK11007 however, was independent of ER or HER2 status of the cells. In addition, PK11007 induced apoptosis and inhibited migration in p53 mutant cell lines. Using RNAseq and gene ontogeny analysis, we found that PK11007 altered the expression of genes enriched in pathways involved in regulated cell death, regulation of apoptosis, signal transduction, protein refolding and locomotion. To establish if PK11007 acts by targeting mutant p53, we used siRNA to knockdown p53 in 3 p53-mutated TNBC cell lines. Reduction in p53 protein levels resulted in a significant decrease in the growth inhibitory effects of PK11007, in all 3 cell lines investigated, suggesting that PK11007 mediates growth inhibition via p53. The observations that PK11007 inhibited cell growth, induced apoptosis, blocked cell migration and altered genes involved in cell death, are all consistent with the ability of PK11007 to activate mutant p53. Conclusions: Based on our data, we conclude that targeting mutant p53 with PK11007 is a potential approach for treating p53-mutated TNBC.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lamyae El Khalki ◽  
Virginie Maire ◽  
Thierry Dubois ◽  
Abdelmajid Zyad

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype. Non-available targeted therapy for TNBC represents its biggest treatment challenge. Thus, finding new promising effective drugs is urgently needed. In the present study, we investigated how berberine, a natural isoquinoline, impairs the survival of TNBC cells in both cellular and molecular levels. Our experimental model was based on the use of eight TNBC cell lines: MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-231, HCC70, HCC38, HCC1937, HCC1143, BT-20, and BT-549. Berberine was cytotoxic against all treated TNBC cell lines. The most sensitive cell lines were HCC70 (IC50 = 0.19 µM), BT-20 (IC50 = 0.23 µM) and MDA-MB-468 (IC50 = 0.48 µM). Using flow cytometry techniques, berberine, at 0.5 and 1 µM for 120 and 144 h, not only induced cell cycle arrest, at G1 and/or G2/M phases, but it also triggered significant apoptosis. At the molecular level, these results are consistent with the expression of their related proteins using Western blot assays. Interestingly, while berberine was cytotoxic against TNBC cells, it had no effect on the viability of normal human breast cells MCF10A cultured in a 3D matrigel model. These results suggest that berberine may be a good potential candidate for TNBC drug development.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2612-2612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah J. Schweber ◽  
Alicia G. Rodriguez-LaRocca ◽  
Valerie Calvert ◽  
Emanuel Petricoin ◽  
Susan Band Horwitz ◽  
...  

2612 Background: Activated MAPK and PI3K pathway signaling are associated with poor prognosis in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Although some TNBC cell models are sensitive to MEK inhibition, feedback activation of the PI3K pathway mediates resistance. Thus, suppression of both arms of the MAPK/PI3K/mTOR network is a rational approach to targeting TNBC. Here we explore the anti-tumor efficacy of combinations of MEK inhibitor with PI3K, AKT, or mTOR inhibitors with a focus on biomarker development. Methods: Combinations of the MEK inhibitor PD-0325901 with the PI3K inhibitor GDC-0941, AKT inhibitor MK-2206, dual mTORC 1/2 inhibitor Torin 1, or the rapalog temsirolimus were evaluated in TNBC cell lines. Synergy was assessed using the combination index method of Chou and Talalay. We utilized reverse-phase protein array to map the signaling architecture of the treated lines to verify target suppression and identify pharmacodynamic biomarkers. Results: All combinations demonstrated synergy that was mediated by both suppression of proliferation and cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Cell death was delayed, peaking at least 96 hours post-dosing, and was associated with sustained suppression of target proteins in both pathways, including pERKT202/Y204, pS6rpS235/236, p4EBP-1S65, and pPRAS40T246. However, suppression of pAKT (at T308 or S473) was variable and not consistently required for cell death. Pathway mapping identified a protein network ‘signature’ specific to all combination therapies that emerged at 72 hours and was associated with cell death. Thus, all combinations appear to share common downstream effectors. All combinations showed promising efficacy and will be evaluated in a human-in-mouse model of TNBC. Conclusions: These data support therapeutic strategies for TNBC that simultaneously inhibit both arms of the MAPK/PI3K/mTOR signaling network. For continued biomarker development, we stress the importance of studying the delayed effects of combination therapy. This strategy coupled with a protein network based approach uncovered a unique functional signaling ‘signature’.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Rieckhoff ◽  
Felix Meyer ◽  
Sandra Classen ◽  
Alexandra Zielinski ◽  
Britta Riepen ◽  
...  

Chromosomal instability (CIN) is an emerging hallmark of cancer and its role in therapeutic responses has been increasingly attracting the attention of the research community. To target the vulnerability of tumors with high CIN, it is important to identify the genes and mechanisms involved in the maintenance of CIN. In our work, we recognize the tumor suppressor gene Phosphatase and Tensin homolog (PTEN) as a potential gene causing CIN in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and show that TNBC with low expression levels of PTEN can be sensitized for the treatment with poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase 1 (PARP1) inhibitors, independent of Breast Cancer (BRCA) mutations or a BRCA-like phenotype. In silico analysis of mRNA expression data from 200 TNBC patients revealed low expression of PTEN in tumors with a high CIN70 score. Western blot analysis of TNBC cell lines confirm lower protein expression of PTEN compared to non TNBC cell lines. Further, PTEN-deficient cell lines showed cellular sensitivity towards PARP1 inhibition treatment. DNA fiber assays and examination of chromatin bound protein fractions indicate a protective role of PTEN at stalled replication forks. In this study, we recognize PTEN as a potential CIN-causing gene in TNBC and identify its important role in the replication processes.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e22063-e22063 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cha Kyong Yom ◽  
Kyung-Min Lee ◽  
Wonshik Han ◽  
Sung-Won Kim ◽  
Hyeong-Gon Moon ◽  
...  

e22063 Background: Elevated expression or activity of the transcription factor forkhead box M1 (FoxM1) is associated with development and progression of breast cancer. In this study, we show that whether inhibition of FoxM1 in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines causes the changes of cancer progress and response to the treatment. Methods: We inhibited FoxM1 using thiostrepton (FoxM1 inhibitor) and identified the activity of VEGF, cyclin B, cyclin D1, p27, CD44 and cleaved capase-3 in MDA-MB-231 cells. Invasion assay was evaluated in BT-20 cells and combination with cisplatin and inhibition of FoxM1 were treated in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines including MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-157, and BT-20. Results: When FoxM1 was inhibited using thiostrepton in MDA-MB-231 cells, expressions of VEFG, cyclin B, cyclin D1, p27, and CD44 were decreased. On the other hand, cleaved caspase-3 expression was increased. Intersetingly, response to inhibition of FoxM1 depended on the expression of p53 in each cell lines. Invasiveness of BT-20 cells is markedly reduced by inhibitioh of FoxM1. Co-treatment with thiotrepton and cisplatin synergistically induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells in MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-157, and BT-20. Conclusions: Inhibition of FoxM1 increases apoptosis and decreases invasiveness and VEGF exprsssion of TNBC cells. And when inhibition of FoxM1 combines with cisplatin treament, synergistic effect was shown. Therefore, FoxM1 is valuable as a potential target for not only anticancer activity but also overcoming cisplatin resistance in TNBC.


Breast Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingzi Zhang ◽  
Jiao Tian ◽  
Chi Qu ◽  
Yang Peng ◽  
Jinwei Lei ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Recent studies have indicated that serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade A, member 3 (SERPINA3) is a potential marker associated with tumor progression, which connoted that SERPINA3 is related to malignant phenotypes in cancer. However, the biological function of SERPINA3 in breast cancer (BC) remains unclear. Methods Bioinformatics data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Immunohistochemical staining (IHC) was conducted to determine SERPINA3 expression. With strong aggressive abilities, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines (MDA-MB-231, BT549 and MDA-MB-436) were obtained to examine SERPINA3 expression and functions. Wound healing and Transwell assays were performed to measure cell migration and invasion. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was conducted to detect cell proliferation abilities and cell viabilities. Results SERPINA3 was upregulated in BC tissues. Functional assays suggested that overexpression of SERPINA3 significantly promoted cell proliferation, where migration and invasion of TNBC cells were accelerated. Knockdown of SERPINA3 had the opposite effects. These results causing by overexpression of SERPINA3 were also confirmed in non-TNBC cell lines. Overexpression of SERPINA3 remarkably enhanced the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) by upregulating the EMT markers and EZH2. In addition, the overexpression of SERPINA3 reduced the sensitivity of TNBC cells to cisplatin. Conclusion SERPINA3 can regulate the migration, invasion and EMT of TNBC cells and increased expression of SERPINA3 confers resistance to cisplatin in TNBC cells. We discern it is required for the regulation of BC progression and is a critical target for the clinical treatment of BC.


BMC Cancer ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pradip Shahi Thakuri ◽  
Megha Gupta ◽  
Sunil Singh ◽  
Ramila Joshi ◽  
Eric Glasgow ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cell migration and invasion are essential processes for metastatic dissemination of cancer cells. Significant progress has been made in developing new therapies against oncogenic signaling to eliminate cancer cells and shrink tumors. However, inherent heterogeneity and treatment-induced adaptation to drugs commonly enable subsets of cancer cells to survive therapy. In addition to local recurrence, these cells escape a primary tumor and migrate through the stroma to access the circulation and metastasize to different organs, leading to an incurable disease. As such, therapeutics that block migration and invasion of cancer cells may inhibit or reduce metastasis and significantly improve cancer therapy. This is particularly more important for cancers, such as triple negative breast cancer, that currently lack targeted drugs. Methods We used cell migration, 3D invasion, zebrafish metastasis model, and phosphorylation analysis of 43 protein kinases in nine triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines to study effects of fisetin and quercetin on inhibition of TNBC cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. Results Fisetin and quercetin were highly effective against migration of all nine TNBC cell lines with up to 76 and 74% inhibitory effects, respectively. In addition, treatments significantly reduced 3D invasion of highly motile TNBC cells from spheroids into a collagen matrix and their metastasis in vivo. Fisetin and quercetin commonly targeted different components and substrates of the oncogenic PI3K/AKT pathway and significantly reduced their activities. Additionally, both compounds disrupted activities of several protein kinases in MAPK and STAT pathways. We used molecular inhibitors specific to these signaling proteins to establish the migration-inhibitory role of the two phytochemicals against TNBC cells. Conclusions We established that fisetin and quercetin potently inhibit migration of metastatic TNBC cells by interfering with activities of oncogenic protein kinases in multiple pathways.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianli Ma ◽  
Wenhui Zhao ◽  
Han Zhang ◽  
Zhong Chu ◽  
Huili Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundBreast cancer is the main cause of death among women worldwide. More and more long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified as oncogenes or tumor suppressors during cancer development. However, whether ANRIL is involved in drug resistance in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has not been investigated. MethodsLuciferase reporter assay was conducted to verify the binding of miR-125a and ANRIL. RT-PCR and western blot were performed to detect the expression of miR-125a, ANRIL and ENO1. Gene silence and overexpression experiments as well as CCK-8 and colony formation assays on TNBC cell lines were performed to determine the regulation of molecular pathways. Glycolysis analysis was performed with Seahorse extracellular flux methodology. ResultsANRIL expression in TNBC patients and TNBC cells was examined and we found that ANRIL expression was upregulated in both TNBC patients and TNBC cell lines. Knockdown of ANRIL increased the cytotoxic effect of ADR and inhibited HIF-1α-dependent glycolysis in TNBC cells. In addition, we found that ANRIL negatively regulated miR-125a expression in TNBC cell lines. Besides, a dual-luciferase reporter assay proved ANRIL functioned as a sponger of miR-125a. Further investigation revealed that ENO1 was a target of miR-125a and positively regulated by ANRIL in TNBC cells. Additionally, ANRIL upregulation reversed miR-125-mediated inhibition on HIF-1α-dependent glycolysis in TNBC cells. More notably, 2-deoxy-glucose (2-DG) attenuated ANRIL-induced increase of drug resistance in TNBC cells. ConclusionsTaken together, our study was the first to identify that knockdown of ANRIL plays an active role in overcoming the drug resistance in TNBC by inhibiting glycolysis through the miR-125a/ENO1 pathway, which maybe serve useful for the development of novel therapeutic targets.


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